Culpeper County is getting a much-needed economic boost.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved last night the rezoning of 50 acres near Brandy Station for what could become a high-tech campus. The Planning Commission had recommended the rezoning earlier.

Attotek Inc., a research and development software contractor, had asked that the parcel on State Route 684 be rezoned from rural to office-commercial.

The company, headed by David L. Martin, plans to build a 10,000-square-foot facility that it can expand. The company now has 14 workers but hopes to employ 40 people over the next five years, Martin said.

Up to 40,000 square feet are approved for future construction under the present zoning.

"This is what we've been looking for," Zoning Administrator John Egerston said. "They will be using one acre in 50."

Attorney Butch Davies, speaking for the company, told the board that because Attotek develops software for the defense industry, the open space is needed for security reasons. Egerston said Attotek also develops medical software.

Egerston believes that once Attotek is established, other similar high-tech companies will be attracted to the area.

Culpeper lost 140 jobs earlier this year when Omni Services closed and will lose another 115 when the Keller Manufacturing Co. shuts down at the end of November.

Davies agreed that Attotek could lure other companies to the area. Attotek's 50 acres lies within a 352-acre parcel, leaving plenty of room for other businesses.

"When one business like this comes here, it encourages expansion," Davis said.

Culpeper officials are doubly pleased because the office-commercial designation for the parcel is less intense than the industrial zoning contained in the county's comprehensive plan.

"The last time this property came up for rezoning they wanted to haul train loads of trash in from New York City and incinerate it there," Supervisor Bill Chase said. "I think everything here makes sense."

One e-mail of opposition, from neighbor Bob Poorbaugh, was read into the record. Poorbaugh wrote, among other things, that there was plenty of land in Culpeper already zoned commercial and Attotek should look elsewhere.

Attotek moved from Chantilly to Culpeper in February, establishing an office in the former Clore Funeral Home building on Main Street.

Martin said he hopes to break ground on the company's new facility by the first of next year.

"I think they'll be good to have," Egerston said.

In other action last night, the board reappointed Steve Nixon to the Airport Advisory Committee and adopted its first trick-or-treat ordinance.

Similar to one in the town of Culpeper, the ordinance permits only youngsters 12 and under to go trick-or-treating and establishes a 9 p.m. curfew on Halloween night.

The board tabled for 30 days a zoning amendment that would have permitted alleys in subdivisions. Supervisor Brad Rosenberger wanted specific language in the amendment to make it clear that taxpayers would not be responsible for the upkeep of any future alleys.